Exhibit 10.6
CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of March 29,2004, by and between
RIMAGE CORPORATION, a Minnesota corporation ("Borrower"), and WELLS FARGO BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ("Bank").
RECITALS
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Borrower has requested that Bank extend or continue credit to Borrower
as described below, and Bank has agreed to provide such credit to Borrower on
the terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
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CREDIT TERMS
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SECTION 1.1 LINE OF CREDIT.
(a) Line of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower from time to time up
to and including June 30, 2005, not to exceed at any time the aggregate
principal amount of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) ("Line of Credit"), the
proceeds of which shall be used for general operating expenses. Borrower's
obligation to repay advances under the Line of Credit shall be evidenced by a
promissory note dated as of March 29, 2004 ("Line of Credit Note"), all terms of
which are incorporated herein by this reference.
(b) Borrowing and Repayment. Borrower may from time to time during the
term of the Line of Credit borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding
borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and
conditions contained herein or in the Line of Credit Note; provided however,
that the total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit shall not at any
time exceed the maximum principal amount available thereunder, as set forth
above.
SECTION 1.2 FOREIGN EXCHANGE FACILITY.
(a) Foreign Exchange Facility. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make available to Borrower a facility (the
"Foreign Exchange Facility") under which Bank, from time to time up to and
including June 30, 2005, will enter into foreign exchange contracts for the
account of Borrower for the purchase and/or sale by Borrower in United States
dollars of Euros; provided however, that the maximum amount of all outstanding
foreign exchange contracts shall not at any time exceed an aggregate of Five
Million United States Dollars (US$5,000,000.00). No foreign exchange contract
shall be executed for a term in excess of twelve (12) months. Borrower shall
have a "Delivery Limit" under the Foreign Exchange Facility not to exceed at any
time the aggregate principal amount of One Million United States Dollars
(US$1,000,000.00), which Delivery Limit reflects the maximum principal amount of
Borrower's foreign exchange contracts which may mature during any two (2) day
period. All foreign exchange transactions shall be subject to the additional
terms of a Foreign
Exchange Agreement dated as of March 3, 2004 ("Foreign Exchange Agreement"), all
terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
(b) Settlement. Each foreign exchange contract under the Foreign
Exchange Facility shall be settled on its maturity date by Banks debit to any
deposit account maintained by Borrower with Bank.
SECTION 1.3 INTEREST/FEES.
(a) Interest. The outstanding principal balance at each credit subject
hereto shall bear interest at the rate of interest set forth in each promissory
note or other instrument or document executed in connection therewith.
(b) Computation and Payment. Interest shall be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year, actual days elapsed. Interest shall be payable at the times and
place set forth in each promissory note or other instrument or document required
hereby.
SECTION 1.4 COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS. Borrower authorizes Bank to collect
all principal, interest and fees due under each credit subject hereto by
charging Borrower's deposit account number 410-0163674 with Wells Fargo Bank,
National Association, or any other deposit account maintained by Borrower with
Bank, for the full amount thereof. Should there be insufficient funds in any
such deposit account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such
deficiency shall be immediately due and payable by Borrower.
ARTICLE II
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank,
which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this
Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until the full and final
payment, and satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations of Borrower to Bank
subject to this Agreement.
SECTION 2.1 LEGAL STATUS. Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota, and is
qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification or
licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed
could have a material adverse effect on Borrower.
SECTION 2.2 AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY. This Agreement and each
promissory note, contract, instrument and other document required hereby or at
any time hereafter delivered to Bank in connection herewith (collectively, the
"Loan Documents") have been duly authorized, and upon their execution and
delivery in accordance with the provisions hereof will constitute legal, valid
and binding agreements and obligations of Borrower or the party which executes
the same, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
SECTION 2.3 NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance by
Borrower of each of the Loan Documents do not violate any provision of any law
or regulation, or contravene any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or
By-Laws of Borrower, or result in
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any breach of or default under any contract, obligation, indenture or other
instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound.
SECTION 2.4 LITIGATION. There are no pending, or to the best of
Borrower's knowledge threatened, actions, claims, investigations, suits or
proceedings by or before any governmental authority, arbitrator, court or
administrative agency which could have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition or operation of Borrower other than those disclosed by
Borrower to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof.
SECTION 2.5 CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The financial statement
of Borrower dated September 30, 2003, a true copy of which has been delivered by
Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) is complete and correct and
presents fairly the financial condition of Borrower, (b) discloses all
liabilities of Borrower that are required to be reflected or reserved against
under generally accepted accounting principles, whether liquidated or
unliquidated, fixed or contingent, and (c) has been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. Since the date of
such financial statement there has been no material adverse change in the
financial condition of Borrower, nor has Borrower mortgaged, pledged, granted a
security interest in or otherwise encumbered any of its assets or properties
except in favor of Bank or as otherwise permitted by Bank in writing.
SECTION 2.6 INCOME TAX RETURNS. Borrower has no knowledge of any
pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to any
year.
SECTION 2.7 NO SUBORDINATION. There is no agreement, indenture,
contract or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be
bound that requires the subordination in right of payment of any of Borrower's
obligations subject to this Agreement to any other obligation of Borrower.
SECTION 2.8 PERMITS, FRANCHISES. Borrower possesses, and will hereafter
possess, all permits, consents, approvals, franchises and licenses required and
rights to all trademarks, trade names, patents, and fictitious names, if any,
necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is now engaged in
compliance with applicable law.
SECTION 2.9 ERISA. Borrower Is In compliance in all material respects
with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended or recodified from time to time ("ERISA); Borrower has not
violated any provision of any defined employee pension benefit plan (as defined
in ERISA) maintained or contributed to by Borrower (each, a "Plan"); no
Reportable Event as defined in ERISA has occurred and is continuing with respect
to any Plan initiated by Borrower; Borrower has met its minimum funding
requirements under ERISA with respect to each Plan; and each Plan will be able
to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in accordance with the Plan
documents and under generally accepted accounting principles.
SECTION 2.10 OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Borrower is not in default on any
obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other
material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation.
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SECTION 2.11 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed by Borrower to
Bank in writing prior to the date hereof, Borrower is in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable federal or state environmental, hazardous
waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant
thereto, which govern or affect any of Borrower's operations and/or properties,
including without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as any of the same may be
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. None of the operations of
Borrower is the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether
any remedial action involving a material expenditure is needed to respond to a
release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.
Borrower has no material contingent liability in connection with any release of
any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.
ARTICLE III
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CONDITIONS
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SECTION 3.1 CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation
of Bank to extend any credit contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the
fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of all of the following conditions:
(a) Approval of Bank Counsel. All legal matters incidental to the
extension of credit by Bank shall be satisfactory to Bank's counsel.
(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to Bank, each of the following, duly executed:
(i) This Agreement and each promissory note or other instrument or
document required hereby.
(ii) Certificate of Incumbency.
(iii) Corporate Resolution: Borrowing.
(iv) Such other documents as Bank may require under any other
Section of this Agreement.
(c) Financial Condition. There shall have been no material adverse
change, as determined by Bank, in the financial condition or business of
Borrower, nor any material decline, as determined by Bank, in the market value
of any collateral required hereunder or a substantial or material portion of the
assets of Borrower.
SECTION 3.2 CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of
Bank to make each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be
subject to the fulfillment to Bank's satisfaction of each of the following
conditions:
(a) Compliance. The representations and warranties contained herein and
in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true on and as of the date of the
signing of this Agreement
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and on the date of each extension of credit by Bank pursuant hereto, with the
same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and
as of each such date, and on each such date, no Event of Default as defined
herein, and no condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the
passage of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing or shall exist.
(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received all additional documents
which may be required in connection with such extension of credit.
ARTICLE IV
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AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
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Borrower covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend
credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the
Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations
of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower shall, unless Bank otherwise consents in
writing:
SECTION 4.1 PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS. Punctually pay all principal, interest,
fees or other liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the times and
place and in the manner specified therein.
SECTION 4.2 ACCOUNTING RECORDS. Maintain adequate books and records in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied,
and permit any representative of Bank, at any reasonable time, to inspect, audit
and examine such books and records, to make copies of the same, and to inspect
the properties of Borrower.
SECTION 4.3 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Provide to Bank all of the following,
in form and detail satisfactory to Bank:
(a) not later than 120 days after and as of the end of each fiscal
year, a copy of Borrower's 10K report filed with the Securities Exchange
Commission, prepared by a certified public accountant acceptable to Bank;
(b) not later than 60 days after and as of the end of each quarter, a
copy of Borrower's 10Q report filed with the Securities Exchange Commission,
prepared by a certified public accountant acceptable to Bank;
(c) contemporaneously with each annual and quarterly financial
statement of Borrower required hereby, whenever an outstanding balance exist, a
certificate of the president or chief financial officer of Borrower that said
financial statements are accurate and that there exists no Event of Default nor
any condition, act or event which with the giving of notice or the passage of
time or both would constitute an Event of Default;
(d) not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an
annual projection of Budget of Borrower;
(e) from time to time such other information as Bank may reasonably
request.
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SECTION 4.4 COMPLIANCE. Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits,
governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the
conduct of its business; and comply with the provisions of all documents
pursuant to which Borrower is organized and/or which govern Borrower's continued
existence and with the requirements of all laws, rules, regulations and orders
of any governmental authority applicable to Borrower and/or its business,
SECTION 4.5 INSURANCE. Maintain and keep in force insurance of the
types and in amounts customarily carried in lines of business similar to that of
Borrower, including but not limited to fire, extended coverage, public
liability, flood, property damage and workers' compensation, with all such
insurance carried with companies and in amounts satisfactory to Bank, and
deliver to Bank from time to time at Bank's request schedules setting forth all
insurance then in effect.
SECTION 4.6 FACILITIES. Keep all properties useful or necessary to
Borrower's business in good repair and condition, and from time to time make
necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto so that such properties
shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.
SECTION 4.7 TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES. Pay and discharge when due any
and all indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or personal,
including without limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local
property taxes and assessments, except such (a) as Borrower may in good faith
contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and (b) for which Borrower
has made provision, to Bank's satisfaction, for eventual payment thereof in the
event Borrower is obligated to make such payment.
SECTION 4.8 LITIGATION. Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of any
litigation pending or threatened against Borrower with a claim in excess of
$250,000.00.
SECTION 4.9 FINANCIAL CONDITION. Maintain Borrower's financial
condition as follows using generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied and used consistently with prior practices (except to the extent
modified by the definitions herein):
(a) Tangible Net Worth not at any time less than $30,000,000, with
"Tangible Net Worth" defined as the aggregate of total stockholders' equity plus
subordinated debt less any intangible assets.
(b) EBITDA not less than $5,000,000 as of each fiscal year end, with
"EBITDA" defined as net profit before tax plus interest expense (net of
capitalized interest expense), depreciation expense and amortization expense.
SECTION 4.10 NOTICE TO BANK. Promptly (but in no event more than thirty
(30) days after the occurrence of each such event or matter) give written notice
to Bank in reasonable detail of: (a) the occurrence of any Event of Default, or
any condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of
time or both would constitute an Event of Default; (b) any change in the name or
the organizational structure of Borrower; (c) the occurrence and nature of any
Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined in ERISA, or any
funding deficiency with respect to any Plan; or (d) any termination or
cancellation of any insurance
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policy which Borrower is required to maintain, or any uninsured or partially
uninsured loss through liability or property damage, or through fire, theft or
any other cause affecting Borrower's property.
SECTION 4.11 LIQUIDITY. Maintain unencumbered liquid assets (defined as
cash, cash equivalents and/or publicly traded/quoted marketable securities
acceptable to Bank in its sole discretion) with an aggregate fair market value
not at any time less than Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000).
ARTICLE V
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NEGATIVE COVENANTS
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Borrower further covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to
extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the
Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations
of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower will not without Bank's prior written
consent:
SECTION 5.1 USE OF FUNDS. Use any of the proceeds of any credit
extended hereunder except for the purposes stated in Article I hereof.
SECTION 5.2 OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any indebtedness or liabilities resulting from borrowings, loans or
advances, whether secured or unsecured, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, joint or several, except (a) the liabilities of Borrower to Bank,
and (b) any other liabilities of Borrower existing as of, and disclosed to Bank
prior to, the date hereof, inclusive of lessor purchase money security interests
limited to $500,000.00 annually.
SECTION 5.3 MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS. Merge into or
consolidate with any other entity; make any substantial change in the nature of
Borrower's business as conducted as of the date hereof; acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of any other entity; nor sell, lease, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial or material portion of Borrower's
assets except in the ordinary course of its business, except acquisitions and
mergers exceeding $25,000,000 in purchase price, which will be subject to Bank's
consent.
ARTICLE VI
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT
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SECTION 6.1 The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an
"Event of Default" under this Agreement:
(a) Borrower shall fail to pay when due any principal, interest, fees
or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents.
(b) Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in
connection with, or any representation or warranty made by Borrower or any other
party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be
incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made.
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(c) Any default in the performance of or compliance with any
obligation, agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan
Document (other than those referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above), and
with respect to any such default which by its nature can be cured, such default
shall continue for a period of twenty (20) days from its occurrence.
(d) Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any
defined event of default, under the terms of any contract or instrument (other
than any of the Loan Documents) pursuant to which Borrower, any guarantor
hereunder or any general partner or joint venturer in any Borrower which is a
partnership or joint venture (with each such guarantor, general partner and/or
joint venturer referred to herein as a "Third Party Obligor") has incurred any
debt or other liability to any person or entity, including Bank.
(e) The filing of a notice of judgment lien against Borrower or any
Third Party Obligor; or the recording of any abstract of judgment against
Borrower or any Third Party Obligor in any county in which Borrower or such
Third Party Obligor has an interest in real property; or the service of a notice
of levy and/or of a writ of attachment or execution, or other like process,
against the assets of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor; or the entry of a
judgment against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor.
(f) Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall become insolvent, or
shall suffer or consent to or apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee,
custodian or liquidator of itself or any of its property, or shall generally
fail to pay its debts as they become due, or shall make a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors; Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall file a
voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or seeking reorganization, in order to effect
a plan or other arrangement with creditors or any other relief under the
Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or
recodified from time to time ("Bankruptcy Code"), or under any state or federal
law granting relief to debtors, whether now or hereafter in effect; or any
involuntary petition or proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other
applicable state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other
relief for debtors is filed or commenced against Borrower or any Third Party
Obligor, or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall file an answer admitting
the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of any involuntary
petition; or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall be adjudicated a
bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be entered against Borrower or any Third
Party Obligor by any court of competent jurisdiction under the Bankruptcy Code
or any other applicable state or federal law relating to bankruptcy,
reorganization or other relief for debtors.
(g) There shall exist or occur any event or condition which Bank in
good faith believes impairs, or is substantially likely to impair, the prospect
of payment or performance by Borrower of its obligations under any of the Loan
Documents.
(h) The death or incapacity of any individual Borrower or Third Party
Obligor. The dissolution or liquidation of any Borrower or Third Party Obligor
which is a corporation, partnership, joint venture or other type of entity; or
Borrower or any such Third Party Obligor, or any of its directors, stockholders
or members, shall take action seeking to effect the dissolution or liquidation
of such Borrower or Third Party Obligor.
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SECTION 6.2 REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default: (a)
all indebtedness of Borrower under each of the Loan Documents, any term thereof
to the contrary notwithstanding, shall at Bank's option and without notice
become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of dishonor, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Borrower;
(b) the obligation, if any, of Bank to extend any further credit under any of
the Loan Documents shall immediately cease and terminate; and (c} Bank shall
have all rights, powers and remedies available under each of the Loan Documents,
or accorded by law, including without limitation the right to resort to any or
all security for any credit subject hereto and to exercise any or all of the
rights of a beneficiary or secured party pursuant to applicable law. All rights,
powers and remedies of Bank may be exercised at any time by Bank and from time
to time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, are cumulative and not
exclusive, and shall be in addition to any other rights, powers or remedies
provided by law or equity.
ARTICLE VII
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MISCELLANEOUS
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SECTION 7.1 NO WAIVER. No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in
exercising any right, power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall
affect or operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive or
otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any
kind by Bank of any breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents must be
in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set forth In such wilting.
SECTION 7.2 NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands which any party
is required or may desire to give to any other party under any provision of this
Agreement must be in writing delivered to each party at the following address:
BORROWER: RIMAGE CORPORATION
7725 Washington Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55439
BANK: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
7900 Xerxes Avenue South
Bloomington, MN 55431
or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all
other parties. Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or
made as follows: (a) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by
mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3) days after deposit in
the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; and (c) if sent by telecopy,
upon receipt.
SECTION 7.3 COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS' FEES. Borrower shall pay to
Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges,
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees (to include outside
counsel fees and all allocated costs of Bank's in-house counsel), expended or
incurred by Bank in connection with (a) the negotiation and preparation of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Bank's continued
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administration hereof and thereof, and the preparation of any amendments and
waivers hereto and thereto, (b) the enforcement of Bank's rights and/or the
collection of any amounts which become due to Bank under any of the Loan
Documents, and (c) the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related
to any of the Loan Documents, including without limitation, any action for
declaratory relief, whether incurred at the trial or appellate level, in an
arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred
in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding (including without limitation, any
adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other
person) relating to any Borrower or any other person or entity.
SECTION 7.4 SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal
representatives, successors and assigns of the parties; provided however, that
Borrower may not assign or transfer its interest hereunder without Bank's prior
written consent. Bank reserves the right to sell, assign, transfer, negotiate or
grant participations in all or any part of, or any interest in, Bank's rights
and benefits under each of the Loan Documents. In connection therewith, Bank may
disclose all documents and information which Bank now has or may hereafter
acquire relating to any credit subject hereto, Borrower or its business, or any
collateral required hereunder.
SECTION 7.5 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the other
Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Borrower and Bank with
respect to each credit subject hereto and supersede all prior negotiations,
communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the subject matter
hereof. This Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing signed by each
party hereto,
SECTION 7.6 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is made and
entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or entity shall
be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action
or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents
to which it is not a party.
SECTION 7.7 TIME. Time is of the essence of each and every provision of
this Agreement and each other of the Loan Documents.
SECTION 7.8 SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity
without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions
of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.9 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be
an original, and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the
same Agreement.
SECTION 7.10 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed In accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.
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SECTION 7.11 ARBITRATION.
(a) Arbitration. The parties hereto agree, upon demand by any party, to
submit to binding arbitration all claims, disputes and controversies between or
among them (and their respective employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and
other agents), whether in tort, contract or otherwise arising out of or relating
to in any way (i) the loan and related Loan Documents which are the subject of
this Agreement and its negotiation, execution, collateralization administration,
repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement
enforcement, default or termination; or (ii) requests for additional credit.
(b) Governing Rules. Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a
location in Minnesota selected by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA");
(ii) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States
Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the
documents between the parties; and (iii) be conducted by the AAA, or such other
administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the
AAA's commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim
is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and
casts in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the
AAA's optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial
dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex
commercial disputes to be referred to, as applicable, as the "Rules"). If there
is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and
procedures set forth herein shall control. Any party who fails or refuses to
submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs
and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any
dispute. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party
that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. ss.91 or any
similar applicable state law.
(c) No Waiver of Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. The
arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose
against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies
relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession;
or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive
relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the
pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a
waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any dispute to
arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of
the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.
(d) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers. Any arbitration proceeding in
which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a
single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an
award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any dispute in which the amount in
controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel
of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively
participate in all hearings and deliberations. The arbitrator will be a neutral
attorney licensed in the State of Minnesota or a neutral retired judge of the
state or federal judiciary of Minnesota, in either case with a minimum of ten
years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the
dispute to be arbitrated. The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue
is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in
determining any claim. In
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any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with
a hearing at the arbitrator's discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are
similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for
summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall resolve all disputes in accordance
with the substantive law of Minnesota and may grant any remedy or relief that a
court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such
ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator
shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose
sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the
same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the
Minnesota Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law. Judgment upon the
award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief
or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of
the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or
claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial
relief.
(e) Discovery. In any arbitration proceeding discovery will be
permitted in accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited
to matters directly relevant to the dispute being arbitrated and must be
completed no later man 20 days before the hearing date and within 180 days of
the filing of the dispute with the AAA. Any requests for an extension of the
discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final
determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is
essential for the party's presentation and that no alternative means for
obtaining information is available.
(f) Class Proceedings and Consolidations. The resolution of any dispute
arising pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be determined by a
separate arbitration proceeding and such dispute shall not be consolidated with
other disputes or included in any class proceeding.
(g) Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees. The arbitrator shall award
all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.
(h) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the
arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any
arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the
AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the
existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by
a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or
regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties
potentially applies to a dispute, the arbitration provision most directly
related to the Loan Documents or the subject matter of the dispute shall
control. This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment or
expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any relationship between the parties.
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Exhibit 10.6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first written above.
WELLS FARGO BANK,
RIMAGE CORPORATION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ Bernard P. Alrich By: /s/ Jill S. Rhodes
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Bernard P. Aldrich, President and Jill S. Rhodes, Relationship Manager
Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Robert M. Wolf
---------------------------------
Robert M. Wolf, Secretary and
Chief Financial Officer